Calling someone in another country might seem complicated. You may be concerned about the cost, tricky dialing codes, or poor call quality. However, your iPhone has tools that can make international calling easier and more affordable than you think.
This guide will show you how. We will explore everything from potential hidden fees to recommending useful apps, and explain how to make international calls without the stress. If you’ve ever wondered how to call another country using your iPhone, you’re in the right place.
Mastering the Art of Dialing International Numbers on iPhone
Did you know that if you press and hold the “0” on your iPhone’s keypad, a plus sign (+) appears? That little symbol makes international calls much easier. In the past, you had to dial a special exit code, like “011” in the U.S., before calling another country. But the “+” takes care of that for you. It tells your phone you’re making an international call, no matter where you are.
For example, if you’re calling someone in India from the U.S., you used to dial 011, then India’s country code (91), and then the phone number. Now, you can just save their number as +91 followed by the local number. Your iPhone will connect the call automatically, whether you’re in the U.S., the U.K., or anywhere else. It’s a simple trick that can help avoid connection issues and save time.
However, dialing numbers in some countries can feel a bit tricky due to their unique formatting. Let’s take North Korea as an example: its country code is +850, but most international calls can only go to numbers starting with 381, which are set up for foreign connections. These calls are handled through the capital city, Pyongyang, which uses the area code 2. So, if you’re calling from a U.S. iPhone, the number would look like this: +850 2 381 [XXXX].
If you’re traveling, you’ll need to decide between using international roaming or getting a local SIM card.
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International roaming: This is the easiest option. You arrive in a new country, and your phone just works. However, it is often extremely expensive.
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Local SIM cards: Buying a SIM card in the country you’re visiting is almost always cheaper for calls and data. The downside is the hassle of finding a store, swapping the SIM, and getting a new, temporary phone number. This is where eSIMs offer a modern solution, giving you local rates without needing to swap a physical card.
Don’t forget about your iPhone’s built-in assistant, Siri. It can make dialing much faster and help you avoid errors, especially with long, complicated international numbers. Instead of manually typing a number, you can simply say, “Hey Siri, call my contact in France.” If the contact is saved correctly with the + and country code, Siri will handle the rest. This is perfect when you’re busy or driving.
International Calling: Costs and Plans for iPhones
When you think about the cost of an international call on iPhones, you probably think of the per-minute rate. But there are often hidden fees that can make your bill much higher than expected. One common surprise is the difference in cost between calling a landline and a mobile phone in the same country. Carriers often charge more to connect to a mobile number, and these surcharges can add up quickly.
Another thing to watch out for, and that we have already mentioned, is roaming. If you make an international call from your home country, you pay one rate. But if you make that same exact call while traveling in another country, you could be charged for international roaming, which is often incredibly expensive. Let’s look at a real-world example. Verizon offers several plans for customers in the US who need to call other countries.
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Pay-Per-Minute: If you only make a few international calls, you can just pay as you go. Rates vary wildly by country.
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Global Calling Plus: For $15 per month, this plan gives you unlimited calls to landlines in over 60 countries and to mobile phones in over 30 countries.
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Global Choice: For $10 per month, this plan gives you a bundle of minutes (up to 300) to call one specific country of your choice from a list of over 140.
The best choice depends entirely on your habits. If you call many different countries, Global Calling Plus might save you money. But if all your calls go to one place, like Mexico or the UK, a country-specific plan like Global Choice is likely more cost-effective.
While apps are popular, other services can also help you save money.
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Dial-in Services (like Mytello): These services work differently from VoIP apps. Instead of using the internet, you dial a local number in your own country, and the service connects your call internationally from there. This is fantastic if you have a poor internet connection but good cellular service, as it guarantees higher call quality.
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eSIM Services: Apps like Yoho Mobile are designed for travelers and offer a free eSIM to get started with mobile data and international calling services. You can make international calls through their app using Wi-Fi or mobile data at very low rates, helping you avoid high roaming charges from your home carrier.
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Hotel Wi-Fi and VPNs: Using your hotel’s Wi-Fi to make calls with an app is a common way to save money. Some people even use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to make their phone think it’s in another country, which can sometimes unlock lower calling rates.
Best International Calling Apps for iPhone
Your iPhone gives you access to dozens of apps that make international calling cheap or even free. The most popular ones use the internet (VoIP) to connect your call. Here’s a closer look:
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FaceTime: If you and the person you’re calling both have Apple devices, FaceTime Audio is a fantastic option. Can it replace all other apps? Almost, but not quite. Its biggest limitation is that it only works with other Apple users.
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WhatsApp: With billions of users worldwide, WhatsApp is the most universal calling app. It works on both iPhone and Android and offers free voice and video calls over Wi-Fi or data. This makes it incredibly versatile.
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Google Voice: Google Voice is a powerful and often overlooked tool. It gives you a free U.S. phone number that you can use to make calls from anywhere in the world over the internet. Calls to the US and Canada are free, and its international rates are some of the lowest available.
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Talk360: This app’s mission is to connect people even when one of them is offline. You use the internet to make the call, but the person you’re calling receives it like a regular phone call on their landline or mobile phone—no app or internet required on their end.
But, can international calling apps ever replace carriers? For many people, the answer is yes. Take someone who often calls Australia and the UK using apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime over Wi-Fi costs nothing. Even Google Voice only charges a few cents per minute, while traditional carrier rates can be over a dollar per minute. Over time, those savings add up. Still, carriers have one major strength: reliability. Cellular calls don’t rely on Wi-Fi quality. So, for important business calls or emergencies, many people still prefer using their carrier’s network to ensure a stable connection.
How to Get the Best Call Quality While Saving Money
When you use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime for international calls, the quality depends entirely on your internet connection. To get the best experience, make sure your iPhone is set up correctly. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and connect to a strong, stable Wi-Fi network whenever possible. This dramatically improves call quality compared to using cellular data.
Also, consider enabling Wi-Fi Calling on your iPhone (Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling). This feature allows your phone to make and receive regular cellular calls over a Wi-Fi network if your cell signal is weak, which can be a lifesaver indoors. If you experience poor quality, like echoes or dropped calls, here are a few things to try:
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router.
- Close other apps on your phone that might be using up bandwidth.
- Ask the person you’re calling to check their connection as well.
- Have a backup plan. For example, if your internet call fails, be ready to use a dial-in service like Mytello, which uses reliable phone lines instead of the internet.
What’s the real-world difference in call clarity? A call made through a premium carrier plan, like Verizon Global Choice, will almost always have crystal-clear, reliable audio. It’s routed through established, high-quality telephone infrastructure. An internet call, however, can be variable. On a strong Wi-Fi network, a WhatsApp call can sound just as good, if not better. But on a weak or congested connection, you might experience lag, robotic voices, or sudden disconnections. The carrier call offers consistency; the internet call offers savings with variable quality.
Photo by Hc Digital on Unsplash
FAQs About International Calling
Can I use international calling apps with multiple numbers?
Most apps, like WhatsApp, are tied to a single phone number. However, Google Voice allows you to have a separate, dedicated number for calling. Some phones with eSIM capability can also hold multiple phone numbers, allowing you to switch between them for different apps or services.
How do apps like Roamless handle emergency calls abroad?
This is a critical point. Most VoIP and travel apps are not a substitute for traditional phone service for emergency calls (like 911, 112, or 999). Your iPhone is designed to route emergency calls through a cellular network whenever possible, regardless of your carrier or plan.
What happens if I make an international call while in a country where my carrier has no signal?
If your carrier has no service at all, you won’t be able to make a traditional cellular call. Your only option would be to find a Wi-Fi network and use an internet-based calling app like FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Google Voice.